Pneumatic picker motion for looms



Jan. 30, 1934. e. v. SUMNER PNEUMATIC PICKER MOTION FOR LOOMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 a J m 0 m/6 J w 1 a B, H a w w J u 2 a 7 m F M W E H 4 m 6 5 4 A 7 M M 7r. 5 \7 5 WIN 6 0 I! w n 2 2 w 8 5g r- 1 JM 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. V. SUMNER PNEUMATIC PICKER MOTION FOR LOOMS Filed July 1932 [It'll/g a L Jan. 30, 1934.

. v INVENTOR BY M W N ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1934 UNITED STATES Pliq-1*};NT- QFFICEQ,

. 1,945,233" I I PNEUMATIC PICKER MOTION FOR Looms t George V. Sumner, Columbia, S. ,C.,.' I I I Application Julyll, 1932. {Serial'No 10 Claims. (.01. 139-144) 1) Q My invention consists in the novelfeatures hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which show one embodiment of the invention selectedby. mefor 5 purposes of illustration, and said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

My invention is a pneumatic picker mechanism forlooms, and comprises a pair of pneumatic cylof the shuttle connected by piping, preferably flexible tubing, with controlling valve mechanism adapted to be supported in operative relation with a rotary shaft of a loom of any usual construction mechanism thereof, said, shaft beingprovided with a cam or other operative rotarypartgfo'r, v 4, N a

,ing thepicker operatingfshaft and cam or arm, and the control v'alves for one of the picker shuttle actuators in operative. relation therewith. 76

actuating said valvemechanism, to effect the desired timed operations of the shuttle, byfsaid';

pneumatically operated pistons, the usual me-v chanical picker mechanism of the loom, intended to be operated by said rotary shaft being removed.

My invention also contemplates improved means for adjustably supporting said controlling 1 valve mechanism'so that it can be readily applied to the frame of any ordinary loom, and the positions of the individual valves, andtheir op.-,

erating means, adjusted with respect to .the operating arm, cam or device on the valve actuating shaft that the desired timing of the shuttle operating pistons can be .readily effected.

It will be understood that my invention-takes,

the place of the usual picker sticks and all inter- 3 mediate parts between them and the picker operating shaft, without requiring any other changes in the construction or operation of the loom, and differences in the distance between the picker operating shaft, and the shuttle race,

4 in' different looms, can be readily accommodatedby varying the lengths of the flexible piping. Myinvention therefore simplifies the construction of the picker operating shaft may be specially located in view of the simplification of the apparatus effected by my invention, but in such case the general construction and operation of the parts of my invention will be substantially the same asthose hereinafter described except as inders and pistons for securing the reciprocation for securing the operation of the ordinary picker g- ,3 is'an e larg edfdetail View of one of the they maybe modifiedtdsuit'the views of ersthereot,

, I My invention, also comprises certain novel features of construction"and' combination of parts hereinafter fully jdescribed andparticularlj p'oint- 60 ed out in the claims. f r v Referring to the ,saidQdravvingQ'WhLiCh-show the best form and embodiment'of my invention, selected by. me for purposes ofillustration, j t

Fig. l 1 represents a front elevation, partly in 85 section, of somuch o jf aloom as, is necessaryfor the understanding'off'iny invention. j Fig. 2 is a side' elevationofthe parts illus- Fig. '5 is afver'tical sectional view on line 5-5 .of Fig, 4'; showing, the mannerof,adjiistablysecluringthe valves in relation the operating arm orcami" I q Referring to; the drawings; 1; represents} the main frame of aloom ofjanyusual or preferred constructiont "2 represents the lay containing the'shuttle race; indicatedat 3, the lay being supported by fyertically disposed arms, 4, 'pivotally mounted 'on a transverse shaft,5.' '6 represents a transversely disposed shaft operated in anyde-- sired way fr0mjth'e main driving shaft of the ,loom,"'so as to make one revolution in'time with a complete reciprocation of the shuttle, fromone end ofth'e ra'ce to thettner', and'backagaim, Asto suming that my inventionfisto be applied t'o, an

ordinaryjloomi provided with the usual picker mechanism, operated by the' shaft, 6', frequently referred to as'a; pick ball shaft of the loom, it will be understood that all the parts between the shaft, 6, and the shuttle, and including the picker'sticks and'the mechanical means for insuringthe timed operation thereof by mechanical means, will be removed. Each end of the shuttle race is providedwith a slot, indicated at 7 Fig. 1, through t which the pickerstick ordinarily extends.

In embodyingflmyl invention in'a loom, I provide the outwardly'fprojectingi portions of the lay at each side with a pneumaticfshuttle. actuator, one of which is illustratedindetail in Fig. 3. Each of these devices comprises a cylinder, 8, secured-to the lower side of the projecting portion of the lay, with its longitudinal'axis in vertical alignment with the center ofthe adjacent slot, '7. Within the cylinder, 8, is a piston, 9, having a piston rod, 10, connected therewith, and extending through a guide, 11, at the inner end of the cylinder. The piston rod is connected with a vertically disposed cross arm, 12, the upper end of which extends into the adjacent slot, '1, and has an extension, 13, extending to the outer end of the shuttle race, where it is provided with an upwardly extending portion, 14, to which is-secured a block or cushion, 15, to directly engage the end of the shuttle. This block, 15, is preferably composed of hard rubber, but it may be composed of any other suitable material. The downwardly extending arm of the cross bar, 12, indicated at 12a, is provided with a horizontal spring, 16, the outer end of which is connected to "a bracket arm, 1'7, secured inany desired manner to the outer end of the shuttle race, for the purpose of retracting the piston,and the bloclrzor cushion, 15, ,operatively connected therewith. The inner end of the cylinder, '8, is provided with an inlet aperture, 8a, to which is connected a flexible pipin'g,' 1 8, leadingto the controlling valve mechanism, and having fsujiiicient slack to ac- (:omrn oda'te' the/oscillations of the lay,

.The construction and ol lation of the two pneumatic shuttle'actuatorsshown in Fig. 1 is the same, and eachof said actuators is controlled by valve mechanism, preferably supported on the side frame of the loom, adjacent to the actuator and in operative relationwith the shaft, 6, and

, as these valve mechanisms for-each shuttle actuator are identical, a description of one will suffice' for both. The pickball shall, 6 ,as indicated supporting bolts forthe valve adjusting and se-'- curing devices, hereinafter described, the plate,

in Figs. 2 and 4, is provided adjacent to each set vof valves with a. suitable arm or cam, as 19 and 19a (Fig. 2) which maybe of any desiredj form,

or shape. [It is here shown'jas a simple arm provided at'its outer endwith a roller, 20, and adapt ed to be adjustably secured to the shaft, 6, in any suitable mannenas by set screw, 21. Adjacent toieach of thesearms,-19, 19a, I preferably'provide a valve supporting plate, indicatedflat 22,

which isbolted or otherwise secured to the frame,

1, of the loom any usual or'desired manner.

'Where the frame of theloom is pr'ovidedwith openings which would a'ccommodatethe axial 22, may bedirectly bolted to the frame, but in someinstances the apertures in the frame may not conveniently coincide with these axial bolts, and in such cases I find itconv'enient' tosecure I the plate,' 22, to thefram'e at a slight distance therefrom by means ofjbolt s, 23, and spacing blocks, indicatedat 2 4,}in Fig. 5,, The plate, 22,

is'provided with: twoIapertures," indicated at 25 7 and 25a, respectively, to facilitate adjusting the :valves all directions by'meansof their clampvlng' force, as hereinafter described; In connecindicated at 26a.

tion with thefplat'e, 22, I employ an 'inlet valve,y

indicated M26, and anoutletor, discharge valve,-

' As herein shown, the valves are identical in constructiortj The inlet valve,1f26,.:for example,

is providedwith a vertically movable member,

27, the stem, 28', of which extends through the upper part of the'valve casing, and engages an operating lever, 29, pivotally I connected to a bracket, 30, secured to the valve casing, the valve being pressed upwardlyinto'closed position'by a coil spring, 31,-in the bottom of the valve casing. The discharge valve, '2'6a, is' constructed in exactly the same manner, and theparts are given the same reference numerals with the addition of the letter a. The inlet valve, 26, is rigidly secured to an adjustable clamping plate, 32, having an annular flange, 33, which engages one face of the main supporting plate, 22. The outer face of the clamping plate, 32, is preferably hollowed out or recessed, as indicated at 34, to fit the adjacent face of the valve casing, and the valve casing is conveniently and rigidly secured to the clamping plate, 32, by a pair of U-bolts, indicated at 35, or it may be secured thereto in any other desired manner. The inner face of the plate, 32, is preferably thickened in its central portion, as shown. and provided with a threaded aperture to receive an axial bolt, 36, which passes through the enlarged aperture, 25, and through a smaller aperture, 37, in a flat clamping plate, 38, on the inner face of the supporting plate, 22, and is provided with a suitable nut, 39, and washer, 40. By reference to Figs. 4 and 5, for example, it will thus be seen that by slightly loosening the nut, 39, the inlet valve, 26, can be adjusted horizontally -or vertically within the limits of the aperture, 25, or rotarily, to any desired position, and secured in its'adjusted position by setting up the nut, 39, which clamps the plate, 22, firmly between the flange, 33, of the clamping plate, 32,

and the inner clamping plate, 33, holdsthe valve rigidly in its adjusted position. Theoutlet valve, 26a, is supported in exactly the same manner as that 'previously described, and the parts-which hold the valve in position are given the same reference numerals with the addition of the letter .a.

The inlet valve, 26, is connected by a pipe, 41, withany suitableisource of pressure fluid, as for instance, a reservoir, 42, indicated in Fig. 2, for compressed air, "which maybe supplied from any no suitable source. The inlet valve is also connected by a pipe, 43.- with the cylinder of the adjacent pneumatic shuttle actuator, and in this instance I have shown the pipe, 43, connected to the central branch of a T-connector, indicated at 44, and

preferably secured-to a portion of the frame for -5, for example, that the inlet and outlet valves,

26'and 26a,-are adjusted upon the plate, 22, in the manner previously: described so that their respective operating arms, 29 and 29a, will beacted upon at the desired times in the cycle of operation'ofthe adjacent arm or cam, 19 (or 19a) to effect an operation of the shuttle by the connected pneumatic shuttle actuating device. It will thus be seen that when the roller, 20, for example,

comes in contact with the arm, 29, the. inlet valve will be opened, admitting compressed air through pipes, 41, 43 and 18, to the adjacent. cylinder, 8,

and'operating the piston therein to propel the shuttle, by means of the block, 15, toward the 0pposite end of the shuttle race, where it will strike the block,.l 5 of the other pneumatic shuttle actuator, and be arrested in the usual manner. As the roller, 20, passes off of the arm, 29', the inlet valve, 26, will be instantly closed by its spring, 31, and the further movementofthe arm, 19, will bring, the roller,f20, into engagement with the lever, 29a,,thus opening the discharge valve, 26a, and permitting the trapped compressed air or other fluid pressure'to' escape to "the atmosphere, whereupon the spring, 16, will return the piston and block, 15,.t0 its normal position. As the shaft, 6, continues'its'rotation, the arm, 19a, will, in like manner, operate successively the inlet and outlet 15 valves on the opposite side of the machine, thereby effecting the return movement of the shuttle in the same manner by the pneumatic shuttle actuator, with which said valves are connected, and the restoration of the pneumatic valve actuator to its normal position. It will thus be seen that the pneumatic shuttle actuators, under the control of their respective valve mechanisms, operated in timed relation with the cam shaft or pick ball shaft, 6, will effect the reciprocations of the shuttle, 4'7, continuously during the operation of the loom.

If it is desired to advance or retard the movement of the shuttle by either of the pneumatic shuttle actuators, this can be readily accomplished by loosening the nut, 39, holding the inlet valve in position, and adjusting the valve, 26, bodily, in any desired direction, or rotarily, to bring the lever, 29, thereof into position to be engaged earlier or later in its cycle by' the arm, 19, or roller, 20, and a similar adjustment of the discharge valve, 26a, may be made for the purpose of causing it to operate earlier or later with respect to the inlet valve, to expedite or retard the return movement of the piston and block, 15.

The apertures, 25 and 2511, are of such large diameter as compared with the diameter of the axial bolts, 36 and 36a, that a wide range of bodily movement of each valve in all directions in the plane of the plate, 22, is permitted, in addition to which each valve can be rotated on the axis of its axial bolt, so that in substantially all cases where the parts are applied to an existing loom the valves can readily be placed with their operating levers in the proper positions to effect the desired timed operation of the shuttle actuators. Should it be or become necessary or desirable, however, it will be understood that the arms or cams, 19 and 19a, may be adjusted rotarily on the pick ball shaft, 6, to aid in securing the desired timing of the actuators. Ordinarily, however, it will not be necessary to disturb these arms, or cams.

I also prefer to provide means whereby the action of the pneumatic shuttle actuators can be independently adjusted to regulate the stroke imparted to the shuttle and thus vary the speed of the shuttle in one or other, or both directions. To this end I have shown each of the pipes, 43, provided in this instance with an adjustable restricting valve, indicated at 50 and 51, respectively. These may be turn cocks, as shown, or other suitable valves, which can be set to restrict more or less the passage of compressed air to the adjacent actuator cylinder, when the controlling valve therefor is opened. By this means I can so adjust the valves, 50 and 51, that the shuttle will be thrown at one speed in one direction, and at a difierent speed in the opposite direction, and I can also adjust these valves to secure just the desired speed in both d rections, with any given pressure at which the pressure fluid may be maintained, thus facilitating the installation and adjustment of the apparatus, in accordance with the pressure of the available fluid pressure supply, and also in accommodating it to a change of initial pressure if a change in the source or pressure of the pressure fluid is made, without altering the apparatus in any way.

I also prefer to provide the usual master cut off valve, or cock, 52, in the supply pipe supplying fluid pressure to the pipes 41, 41, so that the supply of fluid pressure to the entire apparatus, including both shuttle actuators, can be shut off for repairs or adjustment, or any other purpose. Obviously, a valve, 52, could be inserted in each pipe, 41, if desired, but ordinarily a single cut off for both pipes, as indicated in Fig. 2, will be preferred.

What I claim and desire Patent is: v

1. In a loom, the combination with a shuttle race, and a shaft provided with valve actuating parts, of pneumatic shuttle actuating devices at opposite ends of the shuttle races, valve mechanismsfor controlling said shuttle actuating devices provided with movable valve operating elements, and adjustable supporting means for each of said valve mechanisms, including an apertured supporting plate, adapted to be rigidly secured to the frame of the loom, rotatable and laterally movable clamping plates rigidly connected with each of said valve mechanisms, and of greater diameter than the apertures in said supporting plate, a second clamping plate adapted to span an aperture in said supporting plate, and threaded clamping means for connecting said clamping plates, of less diameter than the aperture in said. supporting plate to permit of the lateral and rotary adjustment of the valve mechanisms.

2. In a loom, the combination with a lay, provided with a shuttle race, a fluid pressure operated shuttle actuator at each end of said race, a pick ball shaft provided with valve operating means, a supporting plate secured at each side of the loom adjacent to said pick ball shaft, and provided with enlarged apertures, clamping plates of greater diameter than said apertures engaging said supporting plate, axial clamping means of less diameter than said apertures, connecting said clamping plates, valves rigidly connected with certain of said clamping plates and provided with laterally projecting valve actuating members, for engaging the valve operating means on said pick ball shaft, and flexible pipe connections from said valves to said shuttle actuators.

3. In a loom, the combination with a lay, provided with a shuttle race, a fluid pressure operated shuttle actuator at each end of said race, a pick ball shaft provided with valve operating means, a supporting plate secured at each side of 120 the loom adjacent to said pick ball shaft, valve mechanism for each of said actuators, comprising an inlet valve for connecting one of said actuators to a source of fluid pressure, and a discharge valve for connecting said actuator to the atmos- 126 phere, an actuating lever for each of said valves, and means for adjustably securing each of said valves to said plate, and permitting the movement of the valve rotarily and in all directions in the plane of said plate, to bring the said valve actuat- 130 ing levers into timed operative relation with the valve operating means on said pick ball shaft.

4. In a loom, the combination with a lay, provided with a shuttle race, a fluid pressure operated shuttle actuator at each end of said race, a 135 pick ball shaft provided with valve operating means, a. supporting plate secured at each side of the loom adjacent to said pick ball shaft, valve mechanism for each of said actuators, comprising an inlet valve for connecting one of said actuators to a source of fluid pressure, and a discharge valve for connecting said actuator to the atmosphere, an actuating lever for each of said valves, each of said supporting plates being provided with enlarged apertures, and an adjustable clamping means for supporting each valve, comprising a pair of plates of greater diameter than said apertures, for engaging opposite faces of said supporting plate, and an axial clamping bolt of less diameter than the said apertures connecting said 150 to secure by Letters clamping plates and extending through one of said apertures, and means for rigidly connecting each valve to one of the said clamping plates, whereby each valve is adjustable rotatably and bodily in all directions in the plane of its support ing plate, to bring its valve actuating lever into operative timed relation .with the adjacent valve operating means on said pick ball shaft.

5. In a loom, the combination with a lay, provided with a shuttle race, a fluid pressure operated shuttle actuator at each end of said race, a pick ball shaft provided with valve operating means, a supporting plate secured at each side of the loom adjacent to said pick ball shaft, valve mechanism for each of said actuators, comprising an inlet valve for connecting one of said actuators to a source of fluid pressure, and a discharge valve for connecting said actuator to the atmosphere, an actuating lever for each of said valves, and means for adjustably securing each of said valves to said plate, and permittingthe movement of the valve rotarily and in all directions in the plane of said plate, to bring the said valve actuating levers into timed operative relation with the valve operating means on said pick ball shaft, and an independent adjustable restricting valve interposed between each actuator and the controlling valve mechanism therefor.

6. In a loom, the combination with a lay, provided with a shuttle race, a fluid pressure operated shuttle actuator at each end of said race, a pick ball shaft provided with valve operating means, valve mechanisms for controlling said actuators provided with movable actuating elements for engaging said valve operating means on said pick ball shaft, connections from said valve mechanisms to said actuators and to a fluid pressure source, and means for supporting said valve mechanisms for bodily adjustment universally in a plane perpendicular to said shaft.

7. In a loom, the combination with a lay, provided with a shuttle race, a fluid pressure operated shuttle actuator at each end of said race, a pick ball shaft provided with valve operating means, valve mechanisms for controlling said actuators provided with movable actuating elements for engaging said valve operating means on said pick ball shaft, connections from, said valve mechanisms to said actuators and to a fluid pressure source, and means for supporting said valve mecha'nisms'for rotation about their own axes and for bodily adjustment universall in a plane perpendicular to said shaft.

8. In a loom, the combination with a lay, provided with a shuttle race, a fluid pressure operated shuttle actuator at each end of said race, a pick ball shaft provided witha valve operating means, valve mechanisms for controlling said actuators provided with movable actuating elements for engaging said valve operating means on said pick ball shaft, connections from said valve mechanisms to said actuators and to a fluid pressure source, a supporting plate attached to said loom having a face perpendicular to the axis of said shaft, said valve mechanisms supported thereby for bodily adjustment universally in a plane perpendicular to said shaft. Y

9. In a loom, the combination with a lay, provided with a shuttle race, a fluid pressure operated shuttle actuator at each end of said race, a pick ball shaft provided with valve operating means, valve mechanisms for controlling said actuators provided with movable actuating elements for engaging said valve operating means on said pick ball shaft, connectionsifrom said valve mechanisms to said actuators and to a fluid pressure source, and a supporting plate flxed to said loom .having a face perpendicular to the axis of said vnisms to said actuators and to a fluid pressure source, a supporting plate attached to said loom having a face perpendicular'to the axis of said shaft, said valve mechanisms being supported thereby for rotary adjustment about their own axes.

GEORGE V. SUMNER. 

